Bird Beaksedge

Rhynchospora filiformis

Native to:
Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Leeward Is., Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, United States, Virgin Islands

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Cyperaceae
Genus:
Rhynchospora
Species:
Rhynchospora filiformis
USDA Symbol:
RHFI2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Graminoid
Height:
60 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
jun,jul,aug,sep
Bloom Colors:
brown

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
waterfowl, songbirds
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts from rhizomes following fire. Common in fire-maintained wet pine savannas and bogs.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
commonly found in wet pine flatwoods and bogs

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
Germination Time:
14–60 days
Notes:
Requires moist conditions and light for germination. Seeds may show erratic germination.